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SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: Pinecrest Academy

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Thursday: Forsyth Central

Friday: Lambert

Sunday: North Forsyth

June 26: South Forsyth

June 27: West Forsyth

The high school football season is still a couple months away, but it’s never too early to look ahead. The Forsyth County News sports department will break down one team’s schedule each day, starting with Pinecrest Academy.

Date Opponent (2012)

Aug. 30 at King’s Ridge (5-5)

Sept. 6 at Cross Keys (0-9)

Sept. 13 vs. Mt. Vernon (2-8)

Sept. 20 at Lakeview Aca. (6-2)

Sept. 27 vs. Hebron Christian (1-9)

Oct. 4 Bye

Oct. 11 at Athens Academy (11-1)

Oct. 18 at George Walton (9-4)

Oct. 25 vs. Athens Christian (4-7)

Nov. 1 at Prince Avenue (11-3)

Nov. 8 Commerce (5-6)

Tell tale game: Right from the start, Pinecrest gets a chance to see how the replacements for Jimmy Strom, John Paul Metz and company fare against a Tigers team that dominated in a 45-7 victory last season. When talking about that game earlier this summer, Paladins coach Todd Winter was quick to point out how pivotal his team’s three turnovers were.

Gutcheck stretch: Paladins fans will remember Oct. 12 through Nov. 2 as the four-game stretch for two things: a 1-3 record but a marquee victory over George Walton Academy. This time, it might be even tougher. Pinecrest plays Athens Academy, George Walton and Prince Avenue Christian – teams who went a combined 31-8 last season. And let’s not forget the other team in that stretch, Athens Christian, who defeated Pinecrest, 31-14, last season.

Trap game: It’s tough to find a trap game on Pinecrest’s schedule, but Hebron Christian might be the closest thing. The game comes before the Paladins’ bye week which comes before their brutal late-season stretch. Plus, Hebron has to be better after a 1-9 season in which it started four freshmen on offense, including starting quarterback Connor Holliday.

Outlook: The schedule gets grueling toward the end, yes, but this is the kind of schedule Winter says he wants to help turn Pinecrest into a state championship-caliber program. The Paladins again play two opponents (Cross Keys, Lakeview Academy) who are playing non-region schedules and won’t count in the Class A private school power rankings. But its strength of schedule during region play could provide Pinecrest with all the opportunity it needs to make the playoffs.

By the number

5-0

Pinecrest’s record all-time against Mt. Vernon Presbyterian dating back to 2006 when the teams played in the Georgia Independent Schools Association.